THE CITY REBORN FROM THE ASHES OF AMERICA'S MOST DISASTROUS FOREST FIRE

Pembine Centennial August 2 Weekend

The Town of Pembine will mark its centennial celebration on the weekend of Aug. 2.

Pembine hosted the first annual Marinette County Trout Festival in May, 1941. Trains brought passengers from as far away as Milwaukee and Chicago for the event. The unique attraction was put on by the Pembine Conservation and Civic Club. Offered were activities for everyone including a parade, eating contests, trap shooting, rifle exhibition, archery contests, baseball games, and fishing all day long. Sightseeing trips through woodland trails were also offered with lumberjacks on hand to answer questions.

The Trout Festival would begin on Friday afternoon with a parade led by the Goodman High School band, followed by the crowning of a trout king and queen.

Prizes were offered for all of the events. The tallest, shortest, oldest, and youngest attending the festival all received awards. There was also a special award for the fisherwoman in the most original costume. And prizes were passed around for the best catch of trout and the biggest trout for browns, brooks, and rainbows. There was even an award for the tallest fish story!

Three grand prizes open to all were first and second place won 10 and 20-acre plots on the famous Peme Bon Won trout stream and third place won a Thompson boat.

Although the trout festival is no longer celebrated, the Town of Pembine will hold its centennial celebration on the weekend of Aug. 2. There will be many festivities including a street dance, fireworks, community picnic, lumberjack show, all-class reunion, and parade. Donations can be mailed to: Sheri Stepein, W7837 Cemetery Rd., Pembine, WI 54156. The public is welcome.